Resolution SR0352 on Cable Network for Military Veterans Moves to Governor Pat Quinn and the Cable Television and Communications Association of Illinois

For Immediate Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ill./EWORLDWIRE/Dec. 1, 2011 --- An initiative to create a centralized communications channel, organized as Veterans Special Programs American National Network or V-SPANN, has been endorsed by the American Legion Department of Illinois and received unanimous support from the Illinois State Senate, with the committee's adoption of SR0352 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=84&GA=97&DocTypeId=SR&DocNum=0352&GAID=11&LegID=62136&SpecSess=&Session=) on Tuesday.

Behind the movement to establish veterans' specific television programming is Michael "Mick" Grady, who became intimately familiar with the multitude of issues facing military families through friendships made at work over three decades, not the least of which is suicide. Through his efforts, he has attracted the support of companies that have full broadcasting capabilities, with experience working for Oprah Winfrey's "O," and others interested in hosting shows and supporting the V-SPANN service - and now, the American Legion.

Grady, along with Mark Sides, representing the American Legion Department of Illinois, and Victor Smith representing the VFW Department of Illinois provided proponent testimony.

According to Illinois American Legion Commander Dave Hicks, "V-SPANN presents an opportunity to address a multitude of communications gaps - to connect our national heroes and their families with critical information about resources and the supports and assistance they desperately need."

"The public might have heard that veterans are at high risk for suicide and even that the statistics are higher among them, but when people learn that it's 18 veterans a day that commit suicide, they are truly shocked," stated Grady. "What's even more shocking is that this occurs despite the resources available from community and national organizations. Over 26 million veterans, 28 million wives, and 33 million mothers and fathers comprise a third of the U.S. population. It is our duty to our service men and women and their families to establish a universal communications channel to deliver the information they need, wherever they are - to bridge that knowledge gap."

Grady affirms that many military and veteran families are more isolated than others, do not own computers, and have limited access to information. "In serving our country, military personnel face challenges on an equal or greater scale than that of the general public - in finding jobs, in managing health issues, and in simple daily living. The V-SPANN channel is an important method we can use to ensure that we don't leave anyone behind."

"Americans have the resources to mobilize in support of an effort overnight, and there is no better cause to get behind than this one. V-SPANN has the potential to become a powerful - and even life-saving - resource unlike any other," added Hicks. "The days of traditional mail are nearly history, with the postal service facing extinction. We must ensure other information delivery solutions are in place."

Stated Hicks, "Our soldiers have fought for the rights of others - for free speech. This channel will be a voice for them, to directly address problems and challenges they face, and deliver vital details about how they can find the help they need before it's too late."

To learn more about how to sponsor or become involved in V-SPANN, contact Mick Grady at (773) 370-6416.

Information about the Illinois American Legion is available at http://www.illegion.org.

MEDIA: To learn more about V-SPANN planned programming, organizations and individuals supporting the initiative, or to arrange for in-person interviews and photos, contact Mick Grady at (773) 370-6416.

HTML:   http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212389
PDF:   http://www.eworldwire.com/pdf/212389.pdf
MOBILE:    http://e4mobile.com/view_release.php?id=212389
ONLINE NEWSROOM:   http://www.eworldwire.com/newsroom/313007.htm
NEWSROOM RSS FEED:   http://newsroom.eworldwire.com/xml/newsrooms/313007.xml
LOGO:   http://www.eworldwire.com/newsroom/313007.htm

CONTACT:
Mark Sides
American Legion
Department of Illinois Headquarters
PO Box 2910
Bloomington, IL 61701
PHONE. 309-721-3886
http://www.illegion.org
http://JointheLegion.org

SOURCE: American Legion Department of Illinois

AVAILABLE MEDIA:

View fullsize
: American Legion, VFW and Illinois State Senate Endorse Veterans Programming (size: 0.0 kb)
Illinois State Senate Testimony: (From left to right) Mick Grady, Senator Mike Jacobs, Mark Sides, Tom Marzullo
http://www.eworldwire.com/mediauploads/DSCN2334L.jpg

View fullsize
: Veterans Programming: Illinois State Senate Resolution Passes (size: 0.1 kb)
(From left to right) Tom Marzullo, VFW - Victor Smith, Mick Grady, Illinois Radio News reporter (unknown)
http://www.eworldwire.com/mediauploads/DSCN2340L.jpg

View fullsize
: VIDEO - Veterans Special Programs American National Network (size: 0.0 kb)
V-SPANN Promotional Video Spot
http://www.eworldwire.com/mediauploads/V-SPANN-Promo.wmv